Japanese Alps Hiking Tour: Shinhotaka-Yari-Kamikochi circuit

First of all I want to say that our guide was experienced, well prepared, checked the weather conditions and climbing options to the mountain peak. He was very much concerned about safety as well. On the other hand he strictly followed his plan and did not show empathy and understanding for us as his clients. We didn't have a good start when checking the equipment - of course he has the experience but denying to take some more warm clothing was exaggerated. That caused already some discomfort before even starting the ascend. This discomfort built during the climb since our guide was not taking our wishes into account. He tried to control all aspects of the climb (possibly due to safety concerns) and did not seem to understand that i.e. from time to time a short stop to enjoy the view does not cause harm. It seemed that any deviation from his plan was not expected and acceptable which led to several occurences when he treated my wife disrespectfully and led to the point that he stopped comminicating with her at all and only talked to me and through me. At least we did not have an open argument but the situation became very uncomfortable to us. At that point we decided that we cannot continue and stopped the ascend after quite a short time and returned. Overall it was an unpleasant experience, I try to attribute the friction we experienced to cultural differences and lack of empathy. Nevertheless I think our guide is doing well with a group of travellers that are willing to strictly follow his instructions and his plan - but if you expect some individuality he may not be the right person for you.

The guide Mr.Hama is very pro and very friendly. We are very happy with this trip.

The hike along the Kumano-Kodo Nakahechi trail was a wonderful experience and more challenging than I had thought it to be. Hama was a great guide who focused on my safety throughout the hike, ensuring I had the appropriate gears and sufficient amount of food and water. He responded promptly to my questions and having a guide like Hama was very helpful as he navigated the whole way, which allowed me to truly embraced the beauty of the forest and immersed myself in nature. Overall, it was a great experience and I would recommend Hama to everyone!

My group of 4 successfully summited Mt. Fuji with Hama's guidance, and we had an unforgettable day. Having him there definitely made us feel much more confident and secure. He was able to adjust the itinerary dependent on our interests, ability, and time constraints. None of us spoke Japanese but this was not an issue at all as Hama is completely proficient in English, and was fun to chat to during the hike. I would definitely recommend hiking with Hama if you're thinking about trying to climb Mt. Fuji in the off season. With regards to helpful details about my hiking experience: Descending was definitely harder for me than going up, which surprised me as I usually have no issues with descents, so definitely budget more time than you think you might need for the downhill. I also drank more water than I expected – I brought 2.5L and could easily have drunk more.

My cousin and I engaged Hama to lead us on a one-day ascent of Fuji in July, just a day ahead of the official start of the climbing season. Hama was a truly excellent guide and companion. We are not very experienced climbers but have done plenty of hiking and trail running. Hama offered expert guidance at every step of the journey, and importantly he continually monitored the weather so that we could make a safe ascent in less than ideal conditions. We felt very comfortable and safe with Hama leading us. His hospitality is also first rate - he provided us with tea and food ahead of the ascent, as well as gear that we were missing (including warm layers that were a lifesaver). After the ascent, Hama brought us to a nearby onsen to unwind, followed by a meal at a very cool restaurant and brewery that uses locally sourced ingredients. Over beers and food, we learned a lot about the culture and history of the area around Fuji from Hama and the brewery staff. The ascent and our time spent with Hama afterward were, together, one of my most memorable travel experiences.